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Through Others' Eyes

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Lesson Plan

Perspective Taking Lesson Plan

Students will practice perspective taking by exploring short scenarios, discussing others’ thoughts and feelings, and reflecting on how different viewpoints shape understanding.

Building perspective-taking skills fosters empathy, improves communication, and helps students navigate social situations by understanding how others think and feel.

Audience

3rd Grade (Elementary School Students)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive scenarios, group discussion, and individual reflection.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Print and cut out enough copies of Scenario Cards for small groups
  • Make copies of Perspective-Taking Worksheets for each student
  • Set up a chart paper sheet and markers at the front of the room
  • Review each scenario to anticipate student responses

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

  • Ask: “Have you ever seen two people disagree? How did each person feel?”
  • Invite 2–3 students to share a brief story
  • Highlight how different viewpoints can lead to different feelings

Step 2

Scenario Exploration

10 minutes

  • Divide class into groups of 3–4
  • Give each group a set of Scenario Cards
  • In groups, students take turns reading a card and discussing:
    • Who are the people in the scenario?
    • What might each person be thinking?
    • How might each person be feeling?

Step 3

Share Insights

6 minutes

  • Ask one group at a time to share a scenario and the perspectives they discussed
  • Record different viewpoints on chart paper under headings “Thoughts” and “Feelings”
  • Prompt: “Why do you think they felt that way?”

Step 4

Reflection Worksheet

6 minutes

  • Hand out Perspective-Taking Worksheets
  • Students choose one scenario from discussion
  • On their worksheet, they draw or write:
    • A brief description of the scenario
    • Two different people’s thoughts
    • Two different people’s feelings

Step 5

Wrap-Up

3 minutes

  • Invite a few volunteers to show their worksheet
  • Praise use of empathy language (e.g., “I understand you feel…”)
  • Conclude: “Remember, stepping into someone’s shoes helps us be kinder and better friends.”
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Slide Deck

Through Others’ Eyes: Perspective Taking

• Learn how to understand how others think and feel
• Build empathy and better communication
• Have fun with scenarios and activities

Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Emphasize curiosity and kindness. Script: “Today we’re going to learn how to see things Through Others’ Eyes. That means we imagine what someone else thinks and feels. This helps us be better friends.”

What Is Perspective Taking?

Perspective taking is when we:
• Imagine another person’s thoughts
• Notice how they feel inside
• Use that understanding to be kinder

Explain what perspective taking means. Use simple examples (e.g., two friends arguing over a toy). Script: “Imagine you and a friend both want the same toy. How do you think each of you feels?”

Warm-Up Discussion (5 min)

  1. Ask: “Have you ever seen two people disagree?”
  2. Invite 2–3 students to share a story
  3. Highlight different thoughts and feelings

Lead the Warm-Up Discussion. Choose volunteers and guide responses. Record examples briefly on chart paper. Script: “Who has seen two people disagree? Tell us what happened.”

Scenario Exploration (10 min)

• Divide into groups of 3–4
• Give each group Scenario Cards
• For each card, discuss:
– Who are the people?
– What might they be thinking?
– How might they be feeling?

Explain group work. Remind groups to take turns reading and listening. Circulate to support and prompt deeper thinking. Script: “In your groups, read each Scenario Card, then talk about who is in the story, what they think, and how they feel.”

Share Insights (6 min)

• One group shares their scenario
• Class offers different thoughts and feelings
• Teacher records on chart under two columns:
– Thoughts
– Feelings

Bring everyone back. Invite one group at a time to share. Record students’ ideas under “Thoughts” and “Feelings” on chart paper. Prompt deeper reasoning. Script: “Why do you think they felt that way?”

Reflection Worksheet (6 min)

• Hand out Perspective-Taking Worksheets
• Choose one scenario from discussion
• Draw or write:
– A brief scenario description
– Two people’s thoughts
– Two people’s feelings

Distribute worksheets. Encourage students to choose one scenario and be creative in drawing or writing. Monitor progress and praise effort. Script: “Now draw or write about one scenario: describe it, list two different thoughts and two feelings.”

Wrap-Up & Key Takeaway (3 min)

• Volunteers share worksheet examples
• Teacher praises use of empathy language
• Conclude: “Stepping into someone else’s shoes helps us be kinder and better friends.”

Wrap up by inviting volunteers to share their worksheets. Praise empathetic language. Reinforce the takeaway message. Script: “Great work stepping into others’ shoes. Remember this skill helps us be better friends every day!”

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Activity

Scenario Cards

Use these scenario cards for group discussions. For each card, students will identify:
• Who are the people in the scenario?
• What might each person be thinking?
• How might each person be feeling?

1. The Swing Line
Emily has been waiting to swing. Jack jumps in front of her without asking.

2. The Missing Crayons
Carlos can’t find his blue crayon and thinks María took it. María says she never saw it.

3. The Group Project
Ava did most of the art for the classroom poster. Liam feels he didn’t get to help enough.

4. The Lunch Trade
Sophie brings a special sandwich for lunch. Ethan asks to trade his cookie for her sandwich.

5. The Spilled Paint
Noah accidentally knocks over Mia’s paint cup and spills paint on her drawing.

6. The Birthday Party
Lily is excited about her party invitations. Marcus worries—he didn’t get an invitation.

Print and cut these cards so each group receives one or two per round of discussion.

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Worksheet

Perspective Taking Worksheet

Name: _______________________ Date: ___________________

Scenario chosen from Scenario Cards: _________________________________


1. Draw the scene below:













2. Describe the scenario in your own words:










3. Person 1 (Name or Role): ________________________

  • What might they be thinking?




  • What might they be feeling?




4. Person 2 (Name or Role): ________________________

  • What might they be thinking?




  • What might they be feeling?




5. Reflection: How can understanding these thoughts and feelings help you be a better friend or solve the problem?





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Through Others' Eyes • Lenny Learning